Virgin Mobile just launched the new LG Optimus Slider smartphone. This handset is the successor of the popular LG Optimus V smartphone. Apart from the touchscreen display, this handset comes with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, which allows you to type faster on this device. LG Optimus Slider runs on the latest Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) Operating System. This handset will be exclusively available exclusively for the customers of Virgin Mobile in the US.

LG Optimus Slider delivers the convenience of a full QWERTY keyboard with the sleek lines of the LG Optimus series,said Tim O’Brien, vice president of marketing for LG Mobile. We look forward to providing Virgin Mobile USA consumers the ideal device for on-the-go messaging, emailing and social networking.

LG Optimus Slider Specs:

3.2 inch touchscreen display

Slide-out QWERTY keyboard

Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS

3.2 megapixel camera

Bluetooth 3.0

Android Market

Wi-Fi 801.11 b/g/n

3G Connectiivty

3.5 mm headset jack

Multimedia player

MicroSD card slot

32 GB expandable memory

Virgin Mobile Live 2.0

1500 mAh battery

Dimensions: 4.53 x 2.32 x 0.58 in

The complete specs of this device has not been announced yet. The LG Optimus Slider will be available online for purchase from October 16th, followed by Sprint stores, Best Buy/RadioShack and Target on October 30th, October 31st and November 6th respectively. This handset comes with a price-tag of $199.99. You will also need to subscribe to a minimum $35 a month plan, which offers 300 minutes of voice, unlimited messaging and data.

Omkar Dutta is a Mobile Enthusiast from Mumbai, India. He loves to check out latest software, mobile phones and web services. Currently, he writes for this awesome blog as well as Fone Arena. You can follow him on Twitter @0mkarr